As Switzerland is currently considered a non-associated third country in the 2021-2027 Horizon Package, the Federal Council decided to adopt measures that will help to reinforce Switzerland's position in the area of research and innovation in key scientific fields.
By taking part in new international research cooperation initiatives with countries in and outside of Europe, Switzerland aims to reinforce its international cooperation activities and partnerships in strategically important thematic areas. This complementary measure will also enable further consolidation of national areas of excellence. The Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) will implement this measure. The first research cooperation initiatives are expected to start in 2023.